The making of political sausage

PumaPAC (P.U.M.A. = Party Unity My A$$) is a blog run by die-hard Hillary Clinton supporters who are making demands of the Obama camp in exchange for their support of his candidacy. They want, for example, a roll call vote at the Demo convention.

But here’s the fun part: They’re posting the emails received from big- and small-name members of the DNC in response to these demands. It’s an interesting behind-the-scenes look at how the sausage is made. See the full slate here):

“What’s clear is much of this so called rage is being stirred not by Hillary, but those pretending to be her supporters. Stop the hate. You have totally disrespected the Senator with your emails. Stop the hate. Not sure if you know, but we are keeping copies of all these emails in the archives. Yes, you are not going to get away with pretending to be for Hillary. She is a leader of the Dem party.”

Donna Brazile threatening Sharon, a Democratic voter, with retaliation for contacting her about the election, on June 8, 2008.

“The racist [BS] I have gotten from my fellow Clinton supporters has been enough to make me puke. You have a choice. No one would be forcing you. It is a choice. A choice you will have to live with. 100 years in Iraq if McCain gets elected. Thousands more dead American Soldiers.”

Dwight Pelz, WA State Democratic Party Chair and Super Delegate, to a Democratic voter in Maryland in response to an email she sent requesting an open convention and roll call vote, on July 18, 2008.

“…Take me off your whiner list…”

Steven Ybarra, a California Super Delegate, in response to a letter from a Democratic voter, July 8, 2008.

“When God was giving out brains… you thought he said trains… and you missed yours. Who gives a croc what you do, its your business fool.”

Ben Johnson, member of the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, to Sherry, a Democratic voter from Michigan, July 7, 2008.

“GOD WILL GUIDE THE HAND OF JUDGMENT THAT WILL STRIKE YOU DOWN!

Do not email us again. Thank you.”

Carolyn Warner, Arizona Super Delegate and former state senator, to a Democratic voter who requested that she help make sure that the Convention includes an open roll call vote as in years past, July 18, 2008.

“I must confess a bit of fatigue and irritation with people who continue to carp, complain, and criticize the results of the primary and lay down conditions for their support. The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t establish conditions to recognize the Boston Celtics as NBA Champions; Roger Federer did not demand concessions before recognizing that Rafael Nadal defeated him at Wimbledon.”

Don Fowler, DNC Member at Large and former Chair of the DNC, and Alice Germond, Secretary of the DNC, in a letter to Democratic donors, July 19, 2008